صفحة 264 من 310

As Lucca had five gates, he divided his own country districts

into five parts, which he supplied with arms, and enrolled the

men under captains and ensigns, so that he could quickly bring

into the field twenty thousand soldiers, without those whom he

could summon to his assistance from Pisa. While he surrounded

himself with these forces and allies, it happened at Messer

Matteo Visconti was attacked by the Guelphs of Piacenza, who had

driven out the Ghibellines with the assistance of a Florentine

army and the King Ruberto. Messer Matteo called upon Castruccio

to invade the Florentines in their own territories, so that,

being attacked at home, they should be compelled to draw their

army out of Lombardy in order to defend themselves. Castruccio

invaded the Valdarno, and seized Fucecchio and San Miniato,

inflicting immense damage upon the country.